ratify

verb

rat·​i·​fy ˈra-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce ratify (audio)
ratified; ratifying
Synonyms of ratify

transitive verb

: to approve and sanction formally : confirm
ratify a treaty
ratifier
ˈra-tə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce ratify (audio)
noun

Synonyms of ratify

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Examples of ratify in a Sentence

A number of countries have refused to ratify the treaty. Lincoln's home state of Illinois was the first to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provided for the abolition of slavery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The agreements need to be ratified by union members and approved by the CSU Board of Trustees. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 The three countries that have ratified the convention as of October 2026 — Vietnam, Qatar and Azerbaijan — did not stipulate any reservations. — Mary Lind, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026 Britain’s declaration of war on Spain was ratified on this day. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Oct. 2026 More than a decade after Canada and the EU negotiated the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, for example, just 17 of the organization’s 27 member states have ratified it. — Claas Mertens, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ratify

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ratifien, from Anglo-French ratifier, from Medieval Latin ratificare, from Latin ratus determined, from past participle of reri to calculate — more at reason entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ratify was in the 14th century

Rhymes for ratify

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Browse Nearby Words

ratifier
ratify
ratihabition
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Cite this Entry

“Ratify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratify. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ratify

verb
rat·​i·​fy ˈrat-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce ratify (audio)
ratified; ratifying
: to give legal or official approval to
ratify a treaty

Legal Definition

ratify

transitive verb
rat·​i·​fy ˈra-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce ratify (audio)
ratified; ratifying
: to make valid or effective
especially : to adopt or affirm (as the prior act or contract of an agent) by express or implied consent with the effect of original authorization
unable to rescind the contract because he ratified it by accepting the benefits
compare reform
ratification
ˌra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce ratify (audio)
noun
ratifier
ˈra-tə-ˌfī-ər How to pronounce ratify (audio)
noun
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